The Best Free Webcam Recorders to use in 2018

Posted by Jamie on August 20, 2018

Webcams are useful for more than catching up with friends or family. You can use them to create YouTube videos, tutorials, demonstrations and a bunch of pother useful tasks. To make that work you need to be able to record your webcam. It is that aspect this article on the best free webcam recorders to use in 2018 concerns itself with.

You can go two ways with webcam recording. You can use a dedicated webcam recording program or use a screen recorder. Both get the job done and both serve slightly different audiences. If you just want to record video calls or webcam chats then a dedicated webcam recorder might be more suitable. If you’re creating tutorials or demos, a screen recorder might be more your thing as it will record everything you do rather than just what the camera captures.

I will cover both to help the widest pool of people.

Free webcam recorders

The best price is always free so I concentrate on programs that are either completely free or offer a decent free trial so you can at least try before you buy.

Free2X Webcam Recorder

Free2X Webcam Recorder is exactly what it says. A free program that will allow you to record whatever goes on with your webcam. The program is free but donations are welcome as the company behind it is a non-profit. The program looks basic but gets the job done well. The interface is simple and intuitive and will have you recording in minutes.

Free2X Webcam Recorder can record from most webcams or digital video cameras and will save as AVI, MP4 or WMV for later editing. You can also take screenshots which can add value to tutorials or demonstrations.

YouCam 7

Cyberlink YouCam 7 is a premium product but has a 30 day free trial. Then it costs $29.95. The reason this is on the list is that it is more than just a webcam recorder. It does that very well and can record anything that happens on camera and works with most camera types. It is also an editor so you can produce a broadcast-ready video from within a single program.

There are some neat features to YouCam 7, including the ability to add virtual makeup and effects to live camera chats, support for most major video conferencing software, photo and video editing tools and even a lighting adjustment feature. If you’re trying to create professional videos, this could be the one for you.

OBS Studio

OBS Studio is a screen recorder. It can record webcam and anything else that happens on your computer screen. The product is free and open source and works on all platforms. It installs quickly and works with most camera types, video formats and encoding technology. You can do pretty much anything with this program and a couple of Twitch streamers I know swear by it.

If you’re just playing around with webcam recording OBS Studio may be a bit much. If you’re creating video tutorials or want to produce more professional videos, this is definitely one to try. The learning curve is steep but the end results will be well worth the effort!

FlashBack Express

FlashBack Express is a free screen recorder with specific webcam recording functions. It is completely free and fully featured and is an excellent option for creating professional looking videos. Where OBS Studio has a steep learning curve, FlashBack Express is a little less steep. It does take some mastering but can have you creating pro-level videos quickly.

The interface is simple and easy to navigate. Menus are logical and all the tools you’re likely to need are close to hand. It works with most video formats, doesn’t watermark and has no limits on features or video length. It is a very viable program for multiple uses.

ManyCam

ManyCam is a very powerful webcam recording program and a lot more besides. It has a free version with limited features and three premium versions starting at $29. The free version does use a watermark but if you’re trying before buying, the Standard version allows you to remove that mark.

The program itself has a ton of features and can work with most camera types. It can accept multiple video sources and can broadcast or record picture in picture. It also has editing features, screen sharing and a bunch of other neat things you would likely never use. As a premium product it is well worth the investment but only if you’re trying to deliver top quality videos without wanting to master OBS.

Those are what I think are the best free webcam recorders to use in 2018. They cover all skill levels and will record your webcam and so much more. Got any others to suggest?